When RateGain launched the inaugural State of Distribution report last year, the goal was to address a stubborn yet simple, industry-wide blind spot: despite seismic shifts in guest behavior, technology, and the emergence of new business models, hoteliers lacked a single, comprehensive benchmark to guide strategic planning for the year ahead.

The first edition aimed to help the industry understand where distribution teams were headed. The feedback was resounding—distribution is more than just connectivity.

Over the past five years, as the hospitality industry focused on attracting new talent and embracing innovative technologies, the commercial function has evolved. Most commercial teams have begun integrating revenue management, marketing, and distribution to drive greater efficiency and improved outcomes.

For the second edition, RateGain partnered with HEDNA and the NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality to take a broader view—covering all commercial functions, gathering insights from a wider pool of hoteliers, and offering deeper analysis. The 2025 report reflects insights from over 700 hotel brands across 310 cities, representing more than 21,000 properties—offering a clear picture of where priorities, pain points, and technology adoption intersect and diverge.